We are constantly being urged, through channels like social media and advertising, to reshape our bodies. Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro have brought the issue of rapid weight loss to the forefront, while cosmetic procedures are on the rise and skincare routines are spreading further down the ages.
From a social sustainability perspective, this raises questions about which bodies are perceived as normal, attractive and valuable, and which are at risk of being marginalized. There are many methods for reshaping our bodies and the market for various cosmetic procedures is growing. At the same time, mental illness is increasing among young people, which can partly be explained by compelling body ideals. The phenomenon is not new, but the methods were developed at the beginning of the 1900th century. The arguments then and now were the same: through an ideal body you get a happy and fulfilled life. Undergoing a procedure does not mean becoming someone else but becoming your true self.
In this panel discussion, we discuss body norms and beauty from a contemporary and historical perspective.
contribute:
Emma Hilborn researches cultural phenomena from the late 1800th century to the mid-1900th century, with an emphasis on labor history and gender history studies. She is a doctor of history and a researcher at Lund University.
Magdalena Petersson McIntyre leads the newly started research project Skin Deep: A Transdisciplinary Study of Aging, Beauty, and Wrinkles, funded by the Swedish Research Council. She is an associate professor of ethnology and lecturer in fashion studies at Lund University.
Emma Severinsson researches fashion and beauty culture during the 1900th century with a focus on class, whiteness and gender norms. She is a doctor in history and lecturer in fashion studies at Lund University.
The call is moderated by Lovelia Wellington, student at the Bachelor's Program in Fashion Studies, Department of Cultural Studies.